DVD Review: Blithe Spirit (2020)

Blithe Spirit

based on the novel by Noel Coward (DVD Blithe)

 

Having been a long-time fan of Noel Coward’s witty farces, and having enjoyed Dan Stevens in a few other roles in the past few years, I was looking forward to this version of Coward’s Blithe Spirit, with Stevens as put-upon author Charles Condomine. Surprisingly, this 2020 production has very little “oomph”, and coasts along solely on the limited charms of its primary cast members.

 

The plot, in a nutshell — Condomine is a 1930s British novelist, charged with writing the screenplay adaptation of one of his own novels. Only…he’s hit a brick wall, creatively, and is facing looming deadlines for his work. He has the brilliant idea to invite a spiritualist, Madame Acarti (Judy Dench) to his own home for an-person display of her prowess (and based on her recent public shaming, he believes her to be a charlatan), but things go horribly awry and Acarti is successful in summoning the spirit of Condomine’s first wife, Elvira (Leslie Mann), back from the dead. In the five years since Ruth passed, Charles has remarried to Ruth (Isla Fisher). It turns out that Elvira (who only Charles can see) inspires Charles to successfully start writing again…in fact, she dictates the story to him, without getting any credit for herself. Elvira then plots to get Charles killed, so he’ll be hers again…for all time. Wacky paranormal shenanigans ensue.

 

The performances are fine, but there’s a sense of the lackluster to this version of the story. There is a sense of lushness to the look of the film, with gorgeous sets, terrific costumes, and great music. But, it all just feels a little bit…empty. At least that was my feeling…maybe you’ll enjoy it more!

 

(Also available in a variety of other formats.)

 

( Internet Movie Database entry for this film ) | ( official Blithe Spirit web site )

 

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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